Even Liberal Legal Experts Admit Judge Kavanaugh Is ‘A Superstar’

Former Obama Administration Solicitors General: ‘He Carries Out All Phases Of His Responsibilities As A Judge … In An Exemplary Way,’ ‘Very Hard For Anyone Who’s Worked With Him, Appeared Before Him, To Frankly Say A Bad Word About Him’

NEAL KATYAL, Former Obama Administration Solicitor General: “I think it’s very hard for anyone who’s worked with [Judge Kavanaugh], appeared before him, to frankly say a bad word about him. I mean this is a[n] incredibly brilliant, careful person … [H]e’s legendary for his preparation … Judge Kavanaugh reads every one of those [Supreme Court] opinions, sits down with his clerks on Fridays and goes through them. Each one. Every single opinion.” (“Scholars & Scribes Review the Rulings: The Supreme Court's 2017-2018 Term,” The Heritage Foundation, 7/10/2018)

• KATYAL: “In my practice we basically have a rule: if there’s a Kavanaugh clerk who applies, we hire that person.” (“Scholars & Scribes Review the Rulings: The Supreme Court's 2017-2018 Term,” The Heritage Foundation, 7/10/2018)

DONALD VERRILLI Jr., Former Obama Administration Solicitor General: “Judge Kavanaugh is a brilliant jurist and he’s a very gracious person, both on the bench and off. I recently had an oral argument in front of Judge Kavanaugh and two other members of the D.C. Circuit back a few months ago, in which he asked a whole lot of very intense, very incisive questions, which is his wont. But I think he carries out all phases of his responsibilities as a judge in the way you’d want, in an exemplary way.” (“Legal Speak” Podcast, 7/13/2018)

• VERRILLI: “[H]e’s a distinguished jurist by any measure …” (“Legal Speak” Podcast, 7/13/2018)

‘Liberal Democrat And Feminist’ Who Has ‘Argued 35 Cases Before The Supreme Court’: ‘The Senate Should Confirm Him,’ ‘Sometimes A Superstar Is Just A Superstar. That Is The Case With Judge Brett Kavanaugh’

LISA BLATT, head of Supreme Court practice for Arnold & Porter:  “Sometimes a superstar is just a superstar. That is the case with Judge Brett Kavanaugh, who had long been considered the most qualified nominee for the Supreme Court if Republicans secured the White House. The Senate should confirm him.” (“I’m a Liberal Feminist Lawyer. Here’s Why Democrats Should Support Judge Kavanaugh.,” Politico Magazine, 8/02/2018)

• LISA BLATT: “I have argued 35 cases before the Supreme Court, more than any other woman. I worked in the Solicitor General’s Office for 13 years during the Clinton, Bush and Obama administrations. Because I am a liberal Democrat and feminist, I expect my friends on the left will criticize me for speaking up for Kavanaugh. But we all benefit from having smart, qualified and engaged judges on our highest court, regardless of the administration that nominates them.” (“I’m a Liberal Feminist Lawyer. Here’s Why Democrats Should Support Judge Kavanaugh.,” Politico Magazine, 8/02/2018)

• LISA BLATT: “I’ve kept in regular contact with the judge, mostly to talk about kids and work-life balance, including the challenges I’ve had as a woman trying to raise two children while practicing law. Kavanaugh is a great listener, and one of the warmest, friendliest and kindest individuals I know. And other than my former boss, Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, I know of no other judge who stands out for hiring female law clerks.” (“I’m a Liberal Feminist Lawyer. Here’s Why Democrats Should Support Judge Kavanaugh.,” Politico Magazine, 8/02/2018)

• LISA BLATT: “Democrats should quit attacking Kavanaugh—full stop. It is unbecoming to block him simply because they want to, and they risk alienating intelligent people who see the obvious: He is the most qualified conservative for the job.” (“I’m a Liberal Feminist Lawyer. Here’s Why Democrats Should Support Judge Kavanaugh.,” Politico Magazine, 8/02/2018)

Yale Law School Professors: ‘It Is Hard To Name Anyone With Judicial Credentials As Strong As Those Of Judge Kavanaugh,’ ‘An Incomparable Mentor--Someone Who Picks Law Clerks Of All Backgrounds And Viewpoints; And A Fair-Minded Jurist Who Believes In The Rule Of Law’

AKHIL REED AMAR, Yale Law School Professor: “In 2016, I strongly supported Hillary Clinton for president … But today … it is hard to name anyone with judicial credentials as strong as those of Judge Kavanaugh. He sits on the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit (the most influential circuit court) and commands wide and deep respect among scholars, lawyers and jurists.” (Akhil Reed Amar, Op-Ed, “A Liberal’s Case for Brett Kavanaugh,” 7/09/2018)

• AMAR: “Good appellate judges faithfully follow the Supreme Court; great ones influence and help steer it. Several of Judge Kavanaugh’s most important ideas and arguments — such as his powerful defense of presidential authority to oversee federal bureaucrats and his skepticism about newfangled attacks on the property rights of criminal defendants — have found their way into Supreme Court opinions.” (Akhil Reed Amar, Op-Ed, “A Liberal’s Case for Brett Kavanaugh,” 7/09/2018)

• AMAR: “Most judges are not scholars or even serious readers of scholarship. Judge Kavanaugh, by contrast, has taught courses at leading law schools and published notable law review articles. More important, he is an avid consumer of legal scholarship. He reads and learns. And he reads scholars from across the political spectrum.” (Akhil Reed Amar, Op-Ed, “A Liberal’s Case for Brett Kavanaugh,” 7/09/2018)

ABBE R. GLUCK, Yale Law Professor and former special counsel to former Gov. Jon Corzine (D-NJ): “Brett Kavanaugh is a true intellectual--a leading thinker and writer on the subjects of statutory interpretation and federal courts; an incomparable mentor--someone who picks law clerks of all backgrounds and viewpoints; and a fair-minded jurist who believes in the rule of law.  He is humble, collegial and cares deeply about the federal courts.” (“Brett Kavanaugh ’90 Nominated to U.S. Supreme Court,” YLS Today, Yale Law School Website, 7/09/2018)